Equally Safe in Colleges & Universities Regional Events 2019 Final Report CONTENTS 1. BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………………….4 2. WEST REGIONAL EVENT – KILMARNOCK………………………….………………………5-9 3. NORTH REGIONAL EVENT – INVERNESS…………………………………………….…….10-15 4. EAST REGIONAL EVENT – STIRLING ………………………………………………………..16-20 5. LIST OF ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTED………………………………………………….21-22 | 3 Background Preventing gender-based violence on Scottish college and university campuses is a key priority for the sector. Following the publication of the Equally Safe in Higher Education Toolkit in April 2018, the Scottish Government is keen to support the sector in this important work and a series of three regional events, in Kilmarnock, Inverness and Stirling were held in early 2019. “Love Doesn’t Hurt” – Preventing Gender Based Violence in Colleges and Universities, was designed to help clarify the key messages we want our students and staff to hear ahead of Fresher’s Week 2019 as we work toward building GBV-free campuses. The events were also designed to help develop a national community of practice focussed on preventing gender-based violence on our campuses. The events were targeted at those working in front-facing roles in colleges and universities, to students and student unions, trade unions, local violence against women (VAW) partnerships, VAW sector specialist services, LGBTI+ Groups, NHS and Police Scotland. 4 | West Regional Event – Kilmarnock Date: Friday 15 February 2019 Venue: Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock Campus Attended: 82 No shows: 7 Cancelled: 12 No of organisations represented: 32 Regional Planning Group Anni Donaldson, Knowledge Exchange Fellow & Project Lead, ESCU, University of Strathclyde Lorna Watt, Admin & Events Assistant, University of Strathclyde Sara Turkington, Equality & Inclusion Advisor, Ayrshire College Sonia Filby, Head, Student Experience, Scotland’s Rural College Ciaran O’Brien, Head of Sport & Student Engagement, University of the West of Scotland Speakers Heather Dunk OBE, Principal Ayrshire College – Welcome & Introduction Richard Lochhead MSP (via video) – Ministerial Address Anni Donaldson – Setting the Scene Fiona Drouet – Emily’s Story Judy Ferguson, East Ayrshire Women’s Aid; Lorraine Fleming, NHS Ayrshire & Arran & Kerry Jarvis, East Ayrshire Council – Getting it Right for Everyone Facilitated Discussions The Student Journey Measuring Effectiveness Gender-based Violence: Crimes or Misconduct? Workshops The Toolkit as a Resource - Anni Donaldson, Knowledge Exchange Fellow & Project Lead, ESCU, University of Strathclyde; Sonia Filby, Head, Student Experience, Scotland’s Rural College Preventing Gender Based Violence – Effective Campaigning – Arlene Sweeney, Learner Engagement Officer, Glasgow Kelvin College; Patricia Currie, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Glasgow Kelvin College; Kallia Manoussaki, Lecturer in Psychology, University of the West of Scotland Supporting Staff to respond to Gender Based Violence – Lauren O’Rourke, Training & Education Coordinator FE & HE, Rape Crisis Scotland; Niamh Kerr, Sexual Violence Prevention Worker, The STAR Centre; Jackie Main, Director of Student Life, Glasgow Caledonian University | 5 Event Feedback Attendee Response Rate: 32.92% Event Organisation: 85.19% (excellent), 14.81% (very good) Event Venue: 85.19% (excellent), 14.81% (very good) Catering: 77.78% (excellent), 22.22% (very good) Networking Opportunities: 81.48% (excellent), 18.52% (very good) Presentations: 82.61% (excellent), 17.39% (very good) Facilitated Discussions: 74.07% (excellent), 25.93% (very good) Workshops: 70.37% (excellent), 25.93% (very good), 3.70% (average) 6 | What participants particularly enjoyed “The honesty of the workshops. Very open and honest contributors but still fully professional on teaching and student support matters. The opening session from Mrs Fiona Drouet was heartbreaking but also quite energising and motivating. I think this was the reason there was so much openness around the sessions, as I perceived it.” “Everyone who attended really bought into the day and this meant the contributions were all constructive.” “Meeting wonderful people.” “Very well organised event with very relevant input from different sectors, useful discussions in workshops.” “The event was very insightful and brought home the importance of joined up communication in relation to our students. Despite working here and dealing with students on a daily basis, I was unaware of all the work going on in this area by colleagues as this was flagged up to us by a friend in NHS.” “I enjoyed the full event, having the opportunity to network with colleagues from other organisations and listening to Fiona speak of Emily’s story, it really brought to focus the effects GBV can have on everyday life.” “People at the workshops really had a lot to say and a common understanding of the scale of the issue was established and a unanimous resolve to properly tackle this was evident.” “It was excellent. The event had a huge effect on me and my teaching colleagues. We discussed that day at length and the following week.” | 7 What are the key messages we should be sending out to new students during Fresher’s Week 2019 “Support is available - you are not alone.” “Abuse in relationships takes many forms. It’s never the victim’s fault. It happens in all sorts of relationships. Support is available. You won’t be judged.” “Clarify what GBV is and increase awareness.” “I would say Emily's story must be told to all new and returning students. That will hopefully reinforce to all what can happen if any student is unable to get help and support at a critical or vulnerable moment.” “Stay safe, speak to friends and family about college and uni life as much as possible.” “That any kind of GBV will not tolerated and that support is available to any students who need it.” “Who to go to in the event they have an incident they wish to report/speak to someone about. Violence (of any kind on campus) is not tolerated and there are avenues to reporting etc.” “Respect for all.” “That this should be a safe environment for them and if they feel threatened in any way - they should know that support is available.” “Their right to say 'no' and signposting to where they can find help and support.” 8 | What I Will Do To Reduce Gender Based Violence Within My Organisation I will lead on taking this forward within my Talk to my students department and the college and promote student led activity Promotion within I commit to putting the student interest at the secondary and primary schools heart of all work to tackle and prevent GBV Support setting up Cascade Glasgow network information from today to colleagues Look to increase the I will promote places that students can gender equality and find information re challenge GBV in all its forms getting help | 9 North Regional Event - Inverness Date: Tuesday 19 March 2019 Venue: University of the Highlands & Islands Executive Office, Inverness Attended: 53 (42 in person, 11 via video conference) No shows: 6 Cancelled: 2 No of organisations represented: 22 Regional Planning Group Anni Donaldson, Knowledge Exchange Fellow & Project Lead, ESCU, University of Strathclyde Lorna Watt, Admin & Events Assistant, University of Strathclyde Dr Iain Morrison, Dean of Students, UHI Lyndsay MacColl, Student Support Manager, UHI Speakers Professor Crichton Lang, Deputy Principal, UHI – Welcome & Introduction Richard Lochhead MSP (via video) – Ministerial Address Anni Donaldson – Setting the Scene Fiona Drouet – Emily’s Story Shuwanna Aaron, Women’s Officer, The National Union of Students Scotland – Combatting GBV Elaine Fetherston, Executive Manager, Inverness Women’s Aid; Gillian Gunn, Project Manager - Custody & FME Services, NHS Highland; DCI Vincent McLaughlin, Police Scotland – Panel Discussion Facilitated Discussions The Student Journey Gender-based Violence: Crimes or Misconduct? Workshops Implementing the Toolkit – Lyndsay MacColl, Student Support Manager, University of the Highland & Islands & Claire Kilburn-Young, Wellbeing Officer, Inverness College UHI Supporting Staff to Respond to GBV– Kathryn Dawson, Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator, Rape Crisis Scotland & Ailish Carroll-Brentnall, Support Team Lead, RASASH 10 | Event Feedback Attendee Response Rate: 45.28% Event Organisation: 83.33% (excellent), 16.67% (very good) Event Venue: 59.09% (excellent), 31.82% (very good), 9.09% (average) Catering: 76.19% (excellent), 23.81% (very good) Networking Opportunities: 82.61% (excellent), 17.39% (very good) Presentations: 70.83% (excellent), 29.17% (very good) Facilitated Discussions: 65.22% (excellent), 34.78% (very good) Workshops: 54.17% (excellent), 45.83% (very good) | 11 What participants particularly enjoyed “It was a very useful day. Good opportunity to hear more about equally safe in colleges and universities at our local higher education establishment - UHI - and learn how we can support it as a third sector organisation working in the field of gender based violence.” “The presentations and discussions were amazing.” “Discussing a new angle on GBV, i.e. the campus setting was really interesting. Fiona Drouet's input was moving and brave and brought home the tragic reality of what we are dealing with.” “I have taken a lot of information away, only comment I would make is if the event could be longer.” “It was excellent. It has given me good contacts for potentially setting up presentations/workshops in my organisation.” “Getting a clear understanding of the context